The Blind Side

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which player is most credited with creating a need for someone of Michael’s talents and size in the left tackle position?

A) Tom Lemming

B) Joe Theismann

C) Lawrence Taylor

D) Hugh Freeze

2. What was unique about Tom Lemming’s recruitment style?

A) He was the first to recruit on a national scale.

B) His recruitment style was regional.

C) He interviewed players and based his scoring on their character.

D) He recruited players by watching videos.

3. How does the author of the book emphasize the role of fate in Michael’s life?

A) He reinforces the important role Leigh Anne plays in Michael’s life.

B) He describes the close relationships Michael fosters to achieve success.

C) He promotes the role of charity in helping others.

D) He highlights coincidences that propel Michael on his path to success.

4. How would Lewis describe poverty?

A) As linear

B) As cyclical

C) As temporary

D) As permanent

5. How can Lewis’s analysis of Nature Versus Nurture be applied to football?

A) The difference between the players’ personas on and off the field

B) The preparation off the field in comparison to what happens on the field

C) The difference between talent and strategy

D)  The natural talent of the team compared with the acquired talent in practice

6. When does Michael act out aggressively?

A) When he feels threatened by rival players

B) After he learns the value of aggression on the field

C) Only with close family members

D) When he is treated unfairly or unkindly

7. What is the purpose of Lewis’s descriptions of the evolution of football?

A) To teach the reader about the history of football

B) To explain why football needed someone like Michael

C) To describe the complicated politics that control football

D) To relate the importance of aggressive recruitment

8. Which sentence best describes Michael’s response after his family is investigated by the NCAA?

A) He feels he cannot trust Joyce Thompson.

B) He thinks he cannot trust Freeze.

C) He suspects the Tuohys have ulterior motives.

D) He feels as though everyone around him is using him.

9. What is notable about the culture on the Ole Miss campus?

A) Discrepancies in pay

B) Verbal assault

C) Social division

D) Lack of direction

10. Which sentence best represents the book’s claim that many events contributed to Michael’s success?

A) Michael learned to play basketball from Craig.

B) The Tuohys influence Michael to play at Ole Miss.

C) Michael possesses the characteristics for a skill the NFL needs.

D) Leigh Anne frequently intervenes on Michael’s behalf.

11. Which statement best represents Michael’s underlying fear?

A) He thinks Big Tony will reject him if he doesn’t pass high school.

B) He worries no one will care about him if he isn’t successful.

C) He feels pressure to be what others want him to be.

D) He suspects he will not like being in Ole Miss.

12. Based on Michael’s early years and his subsequent experiences at Ole Miss, what is Michael likely to do when he is afraid?

A) Run away

B) Confront the issue

C) Ask the Tuohys for help

D) Return to his mom

13. Who likely reported the Tuohy family to the NCAA?

A) Other upper-class families

B) Rival coaches

C) Ole Miss

D) Freeze

14. What about Michael’s nature likely causes him to avoid the pitfalls of others in similar situations?

A) His intelligence

B) His connections

C) His privileged upbringing

D) His gentleness

15. Which event from the book best exemplifies the book’s message about The Complexity of Forces and Motives?

A) Michael has an accident with Sean Junior in the car.

B) Sean and Michael meet at basketball practice.

C) Sean works tirelessly to ensure Michael can join the NCAA.

D) Leigh Anne takes Michael clothes shopping.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does The Blind Side address issues of privilege and social inequality?

2. What could Michael’s success represent to others? Who else could his story inspire?